Angola's Festival President: Who's In Charge?

Angola is a country rich in cultural heritage, which is celebrated through a variety of festivals and events throughout the year. These festivals showcase the diversity of Angolan traditions, music, dance, food, and art. One of the most prominent festivals is the Luanda International Jazz Festival, which attracts local and international jazz artists and promotes cultural exchange. In addition to this, there is also the Festival de Música da CPLP, which promotes cultural diversity and unity among Portuguese-speaking countries, as well as the Luanda International Poetry Festival, which celebrates the art of poetry with readings, performances, and workshops. Angola also has twelve public holidays, which can be increased by bridge holidays, and a variety of religious festivals, such as the Lubango Festival, which is a 30-day celebration held in honour of Our Lady of the Hill.

Luanda International Jazz Festival

The Luanda International Jazz Festival, also known as Luanda Jazz Fest, is an annual jazz festival held in Luanda, Angola. The festival was first launched in 2009 and is the country's first international jazz festival. It is held at the Cine Atlantico in late July and early August.

The festival has featured legendary musicians such as McCoy Tyner, Gary Bartz, George Benson, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Cassandra Wilson, Joe Sample, Randy Crawford, Abdullah Ibrahim, Manu Dibango, and the Yellowjackets. Notable Angolan musicians who have performed at the festival include Ricardo Lemvo, Afrikkanitha, Sandra Corderio, Dodo Miranda, Simmons Massini, Toto, and Mozambican-born guitarist Jimmy Dludlu.

The festival was created with the intention of providing a platform for musicians with strong African rhythms to meet and share their music. The festival's organisers, Ritek's CEO António Cristóvão and his Angolan hospitality company, wanted to emphasise the role of Angola in the slave trade and provide a "homecoming" for the rhythms that were exported from the country.

The Luanda International Jazz Festival has become a significant cultural event in Angola, attracting international jazz artists and showcasing the best of Angolan jazz talent. It has contributed to the country's rich musical heritage and provided a space for musical collaboration and exchange.

Carnival de Luanda

The Carnival de Luanda is an annual festival held in Angola's capital city of Luanda. The carnival was brought to the country by Portuguese colonists and has since incorporated a range of local traditions, becoming an integral part of the city's culture. Initially, the carnival was a spontaneous celebration organised by neighbourhood associations in Luanda, who chose the rhythms and routes to be performed by the groups they led. Among the wealthier classes, the carnival was a more polished affair, heavily inspired by European carnival traditions such as the 'corso'.

More recently, since 1987, the Luanda carnival has taken on a more distinct form, thanks to official recognition by the municipality. The Marginal de Luanda has become the central gathering place for all carnival groups, who compete against each other on carnival day for the title of the best group of the year, a practice that continues to this day.

Each group parading in the Grand Parade of Marginal de Luanda consists of commanders, kings, and queens, and they are free to choose the rhythm they will perform. The main musical styles performed include semba, kabetula, kazukuta, and dizanda. In addition to the official celebrations centred on Marginal de Luanda, various other groups perform spontaneously in the city's neighbourhoods.

The carnival in Luanda is not just a cultural event but also a social and economic one, with groups competing for prize money. In 2019, there were 43 groups participating, with 10 from Class B, 15 from the children's class, and 18 from Class A. The groups vie for first, second, and third places, with the winners taking home a cash prize of 15 million kwanzas, equivalent to 484,000 euros.

The carnival is a time when people don costumes and take to the streets to celebrate, with food carts lining the roads and everyone indulging in traditional Angolan cuisine while enjoying the performances. The festivities in Luanda are considered some of the most exuberant, rivalled only by a few countries like Brazil and some Caribbean nations.

Lubango Festival

Angola is a country with fewer public holidays and celebrations compared to others. However, the Lubango Festival is one of its notable festivals. This festival is based on the feast of Our Lady of the Hill and is usually held in the country's Huila Province, specifically in Lubango City. It is a vibrant and multifaceted 30-day celebration that begins in early August.

The Lubango Festival is a showcase of Angola's cultural richness and community spirit. The festivities include music performances, with streets filled with the sound of rhythmic beats. Alongside the music, glamorous fashion parades blend modern trends with traditional attire, adding a unique flair to the festival. For sports enthusiasts, the festival offers tournaments and the thrill of motorbike racing. The prestigious Miss Huila beauty pageant adds an element of elegance and grace to the joyous atmosphere.

Beyond entertainment, the Lubango Festival serves as a platform for commerce and cultural exchange. The Expo-Huila trade show fosters economic activities, while workshops highlight traditional crafts and skills. Additionally, a cattle auction is held, preserving and celebrating the local agricultural heritage.

The Lubango Festival is a testament to Angola's cultural diversity and unity. It brings communities together in a celebration of their shared history and traditions. Through music, dance, and colourful displays of heritage, Angolans showcase their soulful essence and pride in their cultural heritage. The festival is a vibrant tapestry that connects people from different backgrounds, fostering a deep sense of community and joy.

Sumbe Music Festival

Angola is known for its vibrant tapestry of cultural festivals, and one such festival is the Sumbe Music Festival, also known as Festi-Sumbe. This international festival is a three-day celebration held in September, primarily in Sumbe City in the Kwanza Sul province.

The Sumbe Music Festival is a showcase of musical diversity, with performances by artists from a wide range of genres and continents. The festival is marked by a variety of performances, including bands, singers, and dancers, all coming together to create a harmonious celebration of rhythm and melody.

The festival is a testament to Angola's cultural richness and unity in diversity. It brings together people from different backgrounds and continents, fostering a sense of community and celebration. The festival is not just an entertainment event but also a platform for cultural exchange and the preservation of traditions.

Angola has a total of twelve public holidays, which can be extended by bridge holidays. The Sumbe Music Festival, however, is not one of these public holidays, but it still serves as an important cultural celebration in the country.

Luanda Island Feast

The Luanda Island Feast is an annual cultural celebration held on the second Friday of November on Luanda Island, off the shore of Luanda, the capital of Angola. The festival honours Kianda (or Dandalunda), the traditional Angolan goddess of the sea and protector of fishermen.

Every year, Angolans worship Kianda by throwing offerings such as food and clothing into the sea. The Luanda Island Feast is a continuation of this tradition, with rituals dedicated to the deity. Locals believe that by praying to and celebrating Kianda, they will be kept safe from sea disasters and will be blessed with an abundance of fish.

The festival begins at midnight on Friday and continues until Sunday. After the initial worship rituals on Friday, the rest of the celebration is dedicated to partying, with music and dance playing a central role. As a popular leisure destination known for its exotic beaches, high-end hotels, and seafood restaurants, Luanda Island is well-equipped to host such festivities.

The Luanda Island Feast is a testament to Angola's rich cultural heritage and traditions. It brings communities together in reverence for a spiritual figure cherished by Angolans, fostering a sense of unity and pride in their cultural identity.

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